§ 4. Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest numbers and percentage rates of unemployed (a) adults and (b) young people in the Parkhead area of Glasgow.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Alexander Fletcher)On 15 January 8,614 people were registered as unemployed in the Parkhead employment office area and the unemployment percentage rate in the Glasgow travel-to-work area, which includes Parkhead, was 14.2 per cent. On 9 October 1980, the latest date for which an analysis by age is available, 8,315 people were registered as unemployed, of whom 1,544 were aged under 18. Percentage unemployment rates are not calculated for individual employment office areas which form part of a travel-to-work area, or for particular age groups.
§ Mr. MarshallIs the Minister aware that there are only two vacancies in the Parkhead careers office for those 1,544 unemployed youngsters and that his unbelievable complacency is a recipe for disaster unless he does something now as a matter of urgency? Will he consider making special provision for tackling the problems of youth unemployment in the east end of Glasgow?
§ Mr. FletcherThere is no complacency on these Benches. We have made special provision through the youth opportunities programme and the GEAR project in Glasgow. The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to learn that the Scottish Development Agency has built and let over 70 factories in GEAR and that another 44 are in this year's programme. In addition, 500 new jobs are being created at Clyde Workshops Ltd. and it is hoped to double the number before the end of the year.